The Blessing and Burden of Choice - A Discussion on Free Will

From the very beginning, God gave His creation the ability to choose. This wasn’t an afterthought; it was woven into the design of God's creation. Angels and humans alike. Why? Because without choice, there is no real love, no genuine worship, no meaningful relationship with God.

But what happens when God's creation makes the wrong decision?

Even in heaven, a perfect place, because God allowed choice, a terrible decision was made. Lucifer, the most glorious of angels, let pride and ambition lead him to choose rebellion (Isaiah 14:12–14). His decision set off a chain of sorrow that still touches the universe.

God designed intelligent beings, angels in heaven, humans on earth, and He gave them something extraordinary: the ability to make real choices. This wasn’t a small design detail. It was, and remains, central to His plan for a universe built on love. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8).

Think about it:

• Without freedom, there is no love. If God had created us unable to choose, our “love” for Him would be as meaningless as a robot’s pre-programmed response, "I love you."

• Forced love is not love, it’s control.

• But with that same freedom comes risk. The ability that allows you to love God also allows you to reject Him.

Lucifer didn’t become Satan because God put evil inside him. He was created “blameless” (Ezekiel 28:15), but he chose pride over humility, self over God. Adam and Eve weren’t destined to fall. They were created “very good” the Bible tells us (Genesis 1:31). However, they chose to trust the serpent’s voice over God’s.

God could have made us incapable of disobedience, but that would mean we were also incapable of love. By giving us freedom, God created the possibility of rebellion… but He also created the possibility of a genuine loyalty to him.

It’s a risky gift, but it’s the only way for a real relationship with Him to exist.

The same freedom was given to Adam and Eve. God placed them in a paradise overflowing with beauty and abundance, but gave them one restriction:

“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:16–17).

This wasn’t about fruit, it was about trust. Would they choose to trust God’s word or their judgment? We know the outcome. Their decision brought sin, suffering, and death into the world (Romans 5:12).

History shows humanity doesn’t have the best record when it comes to making the right choice. From Cain’s jealousy to Israel’s idol worship to our own daily compromises, we’ve often chosen the path that leads away from God (Romans 3:23).

But God didn’t abandon us to our failures. He sent Jesus to restore what was lost and to give us the power to choose life again. Through the Holy Spirit, we are given a new heart and a new mind (Ezekiel 36:26–27). This new heart and mind enable us to make better decisions day by day.

Deuteronomy 30:19 echoes this:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.”

This isn’t just about one big decision point in your life, but rather it is about all the daily decisions we make. Who will I serve today? How will I treat others? Where will I invest my time and energy?

Friends, pause today, for just a moment, and ask God to help you make decisions that lead to life. Fullness of life now, and the asurity of eternal life to come.